Method and system for providing information from a patient-specific model of blood flow

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include a system for providing blood flow information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system including a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may be configured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may also be configured to receive a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. The at least one computer system may be further configured to display first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the first location.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/030,801, filed Sep. 18, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/470,802 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,778), filed May 14, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments include methods and systems for using models of fluid flow and more particularly methods and systems for providing information from patient-specific models of blood flow.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease may produce coronary lesions in the blood vessels providing blood to the heart, such as a stenosis (abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel). As a result, blood flow to the heart may be restricted. A patient suffering from coronary artery disease may experience chest pain, referred to as chronic stable angina during physical exertion or unstable angina when the patient is at rest. A more severe manifestation of disease may lead to myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Patients suffering from chest pain and/or exhibiting symptoms of coronary artery disease may be subjected to one or more tests that may provide some indirect evidence relating to coronary lesions. For example, noninvasive tests may include electrocardiograms, biomarker evaluation from blood tests, treadmill tests, echocardiography, single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). The noninvasive tests may provide indirect evidence of coronary lesions by looking for changes in electrical activity of the heart (e.g., using electrocardiography (ECG)), motion of the myocardium (e.g., using stress echocardiography), perfusion of the myocardium (e.g., using PET or SPECT), or metabolic changes (e.g., using biomarkers). These noninvasive tests, however, do not predict outcomes of interventions.

For example, anatomic data may be obtained noninvasively using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). CCTA may be used for imaging of patients with chest pain and involves using computed tomography (CT) technology to image the heart and the coronary arteries following an intravenous infusion of a contrast agent. However, CCTA cannot provide direct information on the functional significance of coronary lesions, e.g., whether the lesions affect blood flow. In addition, since CCTA is purely a diagnostic test, it does not predict outcomes of interventions.

Invasive testing may also be performed on patients. For example, diagnostic cardiac catheterization may include performing conventional coronary angiography (CCA) to gather anatomic data on coronary lesions by providing a doctor with an image of the size and shape of the arteries. However, CCA also does not predict outcomes of interventions.

Thus, a need exists for a method to predict outcomes of medical, interventional, and surgical treatments on coronary artery blood flow.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a system for providing blood flow information for a patient may include at least one computer system including a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may be configured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may also be configured to receive a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. The at least one computer system may be further configured to display first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the first location.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for providing patient-specific blood flow information using at least one computer system including a touchscreen may include displaying, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model based on patient-specific data. The three-dimensional model may represent at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient. The method may also include receiving a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location in the displayed three-dimensional model. The method may also include displaying first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the location in the three-dimensional model indicated by the first input. The method may further include receiving a second input indicating a modification of the three-dimensional model and determining second information regarding the blood flow characteristic in the anatomical structure based on the modification of the three-dimensional model.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium for use on at least one computer system may contain computer-executable programming instructions for performing a method for providing patient-specific blood flow information. The at least one computer system may include a touchscreen, and the method may include displaying a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data and receiving a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user. The first input may indicate a location of a stent for placement in the anatomical structure. The method may also include displaying the stent on the three-dimensional model on the touchscreen and determining second information regarding a blood flow characteristic at a plurality of locations in the three-dimensional model based on a modification of the three-dimensional model reflecting the placement of the stent at the location indicated in the first input.

Additional embodiments and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. The embodiments and advantages will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing various information relating to blood flow in a specific patient, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an image showing calculated fractional flow reserve (FFR) within a three-dimensional model representing a portion of a patient's aorta and a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the patient's aorta, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an image showing calculated pressure gradient within a three-dimensional model representing a portion of a patient's aorta and a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the patient's aorta, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an image showing calculated FFR within a three-dimensional model representing a portion of a patient's aorta and a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the patient's aorta, and a stent for placement in a coronary artery, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an image showing a three-dimensional model representing a portion of a patient's aorta and a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the patient's aorta, and a plurality of stents for placement in a coronary artery, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is an image showing a split screen with the model and stent of FIG. 4 in one screen portion and a three-dimensional model modified based on the placement of the stent in another screen portion, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method and system determines various information relating to blood flow in a specific patient using information retrieved from the patient. The determined information may relate to blood flow in the patient's coronary vasculature. Alternatively, the determined information may relate to blood flow in other areas of the patient's vasculature, such as carotid, peripheral, abdominal, renal, and cerebral vasculature.

The coronary vasculature includes a complex network of vessels ranging from large arteries to arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins, etc. The coronary vasculature circulates blood to and within the heart and includes an aorta 2 (FIG. 2) that supplies blood to a plurality of main coronary arteries 4 (FIG. 2) (e.g., the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the left circumflex (LCX) artery, the right coronary (RCA) artery, etc.), which may further divide into branches of arteries or other types of vessels downstream from the aorta 2 and the main coronary arteries 4. Thus, the exemplary method and system may determine various information relating to blood flow within the aorta, the main coronary arteries, and/or other coronary arteries or vessels downstream from the main coronary arteries. Although the aorta and coronary arteries (and the branches that extend therefrom) are discussed below, the disclosed method and system may also apply to other types of vessels.

In an exemplary embodiment, the information determined by the disclosed methods and systems may include, but is not limited to, various blood flow characteristics or parameters, such as blood flow velocity, pressure gradient, pressure (or a ratio thereof), flow rate, and fractional flow reserve (FFR) at various locations in the aorta, the main coronary arteries, and/or other coronary arteries or vessels downstream from the main coronary arteries. This information may be used to determine whether a lesion is functionally significant and/or whether to treat the lesion, and/or to predict the results of various treatment options. This information may be determined using information obtained noninvasively from the patient. As a result, the decision whether to treat a lesion may be made without the cost and risk associated with invasive procedures.

FIG. 1 shows aspects of a system for providing various information relating to coronary blood flow in a specific patient, according to an embodiment. Additional details relating to various embodiments of methods and systems for determining blood flow information in a specific patient are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0041739 entitled “Method And System For Patient-Specific Modeling Of Blood Flow,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Patient-specific anatomical data 10 may be obtained, such as data regarding the geometry of the patient's heart, e.g., at least a portion of the patient's aorta, a proximal portion of the main coronary arteries (and the branches extending therefrom) connected to the aorta, and the myocardium. The patient-specific anatomical data 10 may be obtained noninvasively, e.g., using a noninvasive imaging method. For example, CCTA is an imaging method in which a user may operate a computer tomography (CT) scanner to view and create images of structures, e.g., the myocardium, the aorta, the main coronary arteries, and other blood vessels connected thereto. Alternatively, other noninvasive imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound (US), or invasive imaging methods, such as digital subtraction angiography (DSA), may be used to produce images of the structures of the patient's anatomy. The resulting imaging data (e.g., provided by CCTA, MAI, etc.) may be provided by a third-party vendor, such as a radiology lab or a cardiologist, by the patient's physician, etc. Other patient-specific anatomical data 10 may also be determined from the patient noninvasively, e.g., blood pressure in the patient's brachial artery (e.g., using a pressure cuff), such as the maximum (systolic) and minimum (diastolic) pressures.

A three-dimensional model 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the patient's anatomy may be created using the patient-specific anatomical data 10. In an embodiment, the portion of the patient's anatomy that is represented by the model 12 may include at least a portion of the aorta 2 and a proximal portion of the main coronary arteries 4 (and the branches extending or emanating therefrom) connected to the aorta 2. The three-dimensional model 12 may also include other portions of the patient's anatomy, such as the left and/or right ventricles, calcium and/or plaque within the coronary arteries 4 and/or the branches, other tissue connected to and/or surrounding the coronary arteries 4 and/or the branches, etc.

Various physiological laws or relationships 20 relating to coronary blood flow may be deduced, e.g., from experimental data. Using the model 12 and the deduced physiological laws 20, a plurality of equations 30 relating to coronary blood flow may be determined. For example, the equations 30 may be determined and solved using any numerical method, e.g., finite difference, finite volume, spectral, lattice Boltzmann, particle-based, level set, finite element methods, etc. The equations 30 may be solvable to determine information (e.g., pressure, pressure gradients, FFR, etc.) relating to the coronary blood flow in the patient's anatomy at various points in the anatomy represented by the model 12.

In an embodiment, the model 12 may be prepared for analysis and boundary conditions may be determined. For example, the model 12 may be trimmed and discretized into a volumetric mesh, e.g., a finite element or finite volume mesh. The volumetric mesh may be used to generate the equations 30.

Boundary conditions may be determined using the physiological laws 20 and incorporated into the equations 30. The boundary conditions may provide information about the model 12 at its boundaries, e.g., the inflow boundaries, the outflow boundaries, the vessel wall boundaries, etc. The inflow boundaries may include the boundaries through which flow is directed into the anatomy of the three-dimensional model, such as at an end of the aorta near the aortic root. Each inflow boundary may be assigned, e.g., with a prescribed value or field for velocity, flow rate, pressure, or other characteristic, by coupling a heart model and/or a lumped parameter model to the boundary, etc. The outflow boundaries may include the boundaries through which flow is directed outward from the anatomy of the three-dimensional model, such as at an end of the aorta near the aortic arch, and the downstream ends of the main coronary arteries and the branches that extend therefrom. Each outflow boundary can be assigned, e.g., by coupling a lumped parameter or distributed (e.g., a one-dimensional wave propagation) model. The prescribed values for the inflow and/or outflow boundary conditions may be determined by non invasively measuring physiologic characteristics of the patient, such as, but not limited to, cardiac output (the volume of blood flow from the heart), blood pressure, myocardial mass, etc. The vessel wall boundaries may include the physical boundaries of the aorta, the main coronary arteries, and/or other coronary arteries or vessels of the model 12.

The equations 30 may be solved using a computer system 40. Based on the solved equations 30, the computer system 40 may output information 50 indicating one or more blood flow characteristics, such as FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), blood flow, or blood velocity, determined based on the solution of the equations 30. The computer system 40 may output images generated based on the model 12 and the information 50 or other results of the computational analysis, as described below. The information 50 may be determined under simulated conditions of increased coronary blood flow or hyperemia conditions, e.g., conventionally induced by intravenous administration of adenosine. For example, the boundary conditions described above may specifically model conditions of increased coronary blood flow, hyperemia conditions, and/or the effect of adenosine.

FIG. 2 shows a computed FFR model 100 that may be output from the computer system 40. The computed FFR model 100 may include the geometry of the anatomical structure based on the model 12 and may also indicate the information 50 output from the computer system 40, such as the values of FFR at various locations along three-dimensions in the model 12. FFR may be calculated as the ratio of the blood pressure at a particular location in the model 12 (e.g., in a coronary artery) divided by the blood pressure in the aorta, e.g., at the inflow boundary of the model 12, under conditions of increased coronary blood flow or hyperemia conditions. A corresponding color, shade, pattern, or other visual indicator may be assigned to the respective FFR values throughout the computed FFR model 100 such that the computed FFR model 100 may visually indicate the variations in FFR throughout the model 100 without having to visually indicate the individual numerical values for each point in the model 100.

A scale or key 110 may be provided that indicates which numerical values of FFR correspond to which colors, shades, patterns, or other visual indicators. For example, the computed FFR model 100 may be provided in color, and a color spectrum may be used to indicate variations in computed FFR throughout the model 100. The color spectrum may include red, yellow, green, cyan, and blue, in order from lowest computed FFR (indicating functionally significant lesions) to highest computed FFR. For example, the upper limit (blue) may indicate an FFR of 1.0, and the lower limit (red) may indicate approximately 0.7 or 0.75 or 0.8) or less, with green indicating approximately 0.85 (or other value approximately halfway between the upper and lower limits). For example, the lower limit may be determined based on a lower limit (e.g., 0.7, 0.75, or 0.8) used for determining whether the computed FFR indicates a functionally significant lesion or other feature that may require intervention. Thus, the computed FFR model 100 for some patients may show a majority or all of the aorta as blue or other color towards the higher end of the spectrum, and the colors may change gradually through the spectrum (e.g., towards the lower end of the spectrum (down to anywhere from red to blue)) towards the distal ends of the coronary arteries and the branches that extend therefrom. The distal ends of the coronary arteries for a particular patient may have different colors, e.g., anywhere from red to blue, depending on the local values of computed FFR determined for the respective distal ends.

For example, the computed FFR model 100 of FIG. 2 may show that, for this particular patient, under simulated hyperemia conditions, the computed FFR is generally uniform and approximately 1.0 in the aorta (e.g., as indicated by the color blue), and that the computed FFR gradually and continuously decreases (e.g., to values ranging from near 1.0 down to approximately 0.9, as indicated by gradually changing colors from blue to cyan or a mix of blue and cyan) as the blood flows downstream into the main coronary arteries and into the branches. However, at certain areas, such as areas 112 and 114, there may be sharper decreases in computed FFR. For example, between the aorta and area 112 in one of the coronary arteries, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate generally constant values (e.g., approximately 1.0, as indicated by the color blue) or gradually decreasing values in computed FFR (e.g., to values ranging from near 1.0 down to approximately 0.9, as indicated by gradually changing colors from blue to cyan or a mix of blue and cyan). At area 112, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate a drop in computed FFR to approximately 0.8 (e.g., as indicated by colors changing from blue and/or cyan, to green and/or yellow). Between the areas 112 and 114, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate generally constant values (e.g., approximately 0.8, as indicated by the colors green and/or yellow) or gradually decreasing values in computed FFR (e.g., to values slightly less than 0.8, as indicated by colors that are more yellow than green). At area 114, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate a drop in computed FFR to approximately 0.7 or below (e.g., as indicated by colors changing from green and/or yellow, to red). Downstream of the area 114 and to the distal end of the coronary artery, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate that the computed FFR is approximately 0.7 or below (e.g., as indicated by the color red).

Based on the computed FFR model 100, a user may determine that the computed FFR has dropped below the lower limit used for determining the presence of a functionally significant lesion or other feature that may require intervention (e.g., based on the location(s) of areas colored red in the computed FFR model 100 or otherwise indicating a value of computed FFR that is below the lower limit), and the user may also be able to locate the functionally significant lesion(s). The user may locate the functionally significant lesion(s) based on the geometry of the artery or branch (e.g., using the computed FFR model 100). For example, the functionally significant lesion(s) may be located by finding a narrowing or stenosis located near (e.g., upstream from) the location(s) of the computed FFR model 100 indicating the local minimum FFR value.

FIG. 3 shows a computed pressure gradient model 200 that may be output from the computer system 40. The computed pressure gradient model 200 may include the geometry of the anatomical structure based on the model 12 and may also indicate the information 50 output from the computer system 40, such as the values of blood pressure gradient at various locations along three-dimensions in the model 12. The computed pressure gradient model 200 may show the local blood pressure gradient (e.g., in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) per centimeter) throughout the model 12 under simulated hyperemia conditions or other conditions. A corresponding calor, shade, pattern, or other visual indicator may be assigned to the respective pressures gradients such that the model 200 may visually indicate variations in pressure gradient throughout the model 200 without having to visually indicate the individual pressure gradient numerical values for each point in the model 200.

A scale or key 210 may be provided that indicates which numerical values of pressure gradient correspond to which colors, shades, patterns, or other visual indicators. For example, the computed pressure gradient model 200 may be provided in color, and a color spectrum may be used to indicate variations in pressure throughout the model 200. The color spectrum may include red, yellow, green, cyan, and blue, in order from highest pressure gradient, which may indicate functionally significant lesions, to lowest pressure gradient. For example, the upper limit (red) may indicate approximately 20 mmHg/cm or more, and the lower limit (blue) may indicate approximately 0 mmHg/cm or less, with green indicating approximately 10 mmHg/cm (or other value approximately halfway between the upper and lower limits). Thus, the computed pressure gradient model 200 for some patients may show a majority or all of the aorta as blue and/or cyan, or other color towards the lower end of the spectrum, and the colors may change gradually through the spectrum (e.g., towards the higher end of the spectrum (up to red)) at areas having higher pressure gradients.

For example, the computed pressure gradient model 200 of FIG. 3 may show that, for this particular patient, under simulated hyperemia conditions, the pressure gradient may be generally uniform and approximately zero mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors blue and/or cyan) in the aorta and in most of the main coronary arteries and the branches. The computed pressure gradient model 200 may indicate a gradual increase in pressure gradient such that some areas 212 in the main coronary arteries and the branches indicate values of approximately 5 mmHg/cm to approximately 10 mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors cyan and/or green), some areas 214 in the main coronary arteries and the branches indicate values of approximately 10 mmHg/cm to approximately 15 mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors green and/or yellow), and some areas 216 in the main coronary arteries and the branches indicate values of greater than approximately 15 mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors yellow and/or red).

Based on the computed pressure gradient model 200, a user may determine that the computed pressure gradient has increased above a certain level (e.g., approximately 20 mmHg/cm), which may indicate the presence of a functionally significant lesion or other feature that may require intervention, and the user may also be able to locate the functionally significant lesion(s). The user may locate the functionally significant lesion(s) based on the geometry of the artery or branch (e.g., using the computed pressure gradient model 200). For example, the functionally significant lesion(s) may be located by finding a narrowing or stenosis located near the location(s) of the computed pressure gradient model 200 indicating a value of approximately 20 mmHg/cm or higher.

The computer FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model 200, or other model may also include other information, such as geometry information (e.g., numerical values for vessel inner diameter, thickness, etc.), throughout the model 100 or 200. The information relating to a particular location on the model may be displayed to the user upon selection of the location of the model as described below.

The computer system 40 may allow the user to select whether to output the computed FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model 200, or other model, and/or to specify other color mappings or rendering styles (e.g., x-ray rendering).

Referring back to FIG. 1, the computer system 40 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices that store instructions that, when executed by a processor, computer system, etc., may perform any of the actions described herein for providing various information relating to blood flow in the patient. The computer system 40 may include a desktop or portable computer, a workstation, a server, a personal digital assistant, or any other computer system. The computer system 40 may include a processor, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input/output (I/O) adapter for connecting peripheral devices (e.g., an input device, output device, storage device, etc.), a user interlace adapter for connecting input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a voice input, and/or other devices, a communications adapter for connecting the computer system 40 to a network, a display adapter for connecting the computer system 40 to a display, etc. For example, the display may be used to display the model 12 and/or any images generated by solving the equations 30 (e.g., the computed FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model 200, and/or the other models described below).

The patient-specific anatomical data 10 may be transferred over a secure communication line (e.g., via a wireless or wired network) to the computer system 40, which may create the model 12 and solve the equations 30. For example, in an embodiment, the data 10 may be transferred from the third-party vendor that obtains the patient-specific anatomical data 10 to the computer system 40 operated by the patient's physician or other user.

In an embodiment, the computer system 40 may output the information 50 indicating one or more blood flow characteristics, the computed FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model 200, and/or other output from the computer system 40 based on the solution of the equations 30 to a tablet computer 70 (or other mobile or handheld computing device), such as Apple Inc.'s iPad®, over a secure communication line (e.g., via a wireless or wired network, using a web-based service, etc.). The tablet computer 70 may be operated by the patient's physician or other user, such as the patient. The tablet computer 70 may include a touchscreen. Various screenshots of the touchscreen are shown in FIGS. 2-6 and described below. The touchscreen may be configured to receive input from the user based on contact by at least one of the user's digits (e.g., at least one of the user's fingers or thumbs) on a surface of the touchscreen as described below. The following description relates to embodiments in which the touchscreen is configured to receive input from contact by the user's finger(s) on the surface of the touchscreen. However, it is understood that the touchscreen may be configured to receive input from the user based on contact or sensed proximity to the touchscreen by the user's finger(s), the user's thumb(s), a stylus, another pointing object or instrument, or a combination thereof.

Thus, in an embodiment, the computer system 40 may perform more complicated operations, such as solving the equations 30, while the tablet computer 70 may be a portable system for displaying the results of the solution of the equations 30 by the computer system 40 and for performing less complicated computations. The tablet computer 70 may allow the patient's physician, the patient, or other user to access information from the model 12, 100, or 209, and manipulate the model 12, 109, or 200 as described below. The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to allow the user to select treatment options using the tablet computer 70. The tablet computer 70 may determine or predict the blood flow characteristic(s) (e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), etc.) in the patient's anatomical structure based on the selected treatment options as described below.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the tablet computer 70 may provide two mode selection buttons 310 and 320 that allow the user to switch between two modes. Touching the first button 310 allows the user to select the first operating mode (e.g., an inspection mode), and touching the second button 320 allows the user to select the second operating mode (e.g., a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) mode).

FIGS. 2 and 3 are images illustrating screen shots of the tablet computer 70 operating in the first operating mode. In the first operating mode, the tablet computer 70 may display information indicating one or more blood flow characteristics of the patient in the patient's current condition, e.g., the computed FFR model 100 (FIG. 2) the computed pressure gradient model 200 (FIG. 3), or other model providing the information 50 output from the computer system 40. Inputs received from the user using the tablet computer 70 in the first operating mode may allow the user to interact with and manipulate the displayed information regarding the patient's current condition.

The tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen at a location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 100 or 200 (and a corresponding location in the patient's anatomical structure). Based on this input, the tablet computer 70 may determine the numerical value of a blood flow characteristic (e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), and/or other blood flow characteristic selected by the user) at the indicated location on the displayed model 100 or 200, and may display the determined numerical value. The displayed numerical value may be dynamically updated as the user drags the finger(s) along the surface of the touchscreen and along the displayed model 100 or 200. Thus, the user may touch any point on the model 12, 100, or 200 to determine the numerical value of any of the blood flow characteristics described above, e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), and/or other blood flow characteristic, at that point. Additional information relating to the indicated point on the model 12, 100, or 200 may also be displayed to the user, such as geometry information (e.g., a numerical value of the vessel inner diameter, etc.).

For example, the tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen for a predetermined time (e.g., a touch and hold) at a location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 100 or 200. Based on this input, the tablet computer 70 may create a tag or pin 330 that points to the indicated location within the displayed model 100 or 200. The user can then drag or move the pin 330 anywhere within the displayed model 100 or 200 to determine the numerical value of a blood flow characteristic at the indicated location on the displayed model 100 or 200 to which the pin 330 has been dragged. The numerical value may be dynamically updated as the pin 330 is dragged. The tablet computer 70 may display the determined numerical value within or near the pin 330. For example, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pin 330 points to a location in one of the coronary arteries illustrated in the model 100 where the FFR value is 0.58. The pin 330 may also indicate other information regarding the indicated location, such as a dimension (e.g., diameter) of the vessel at the indicated location. The tablet computer 70 may allow the user to create more than one pin 330 to drag separately around the model 100 or 200, and remove the pin(s) 330, as desired.

When the user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen (e.g., for less than the amount of time associated with creating the pin 330) at a location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 100 or 200, then the tablet computer 70 may determine that the user has selected a particular coronary artery (and/or the branches connected thereto) and may fade (e.g., dim or decrease the brightness of) the other coronary arteries and branches.

Alternatively, or in addition, the selected location may become a new focal point of view for the displayed model 100 or 200, and/or a new local origin for transformations, such as rotation and zoom. This allows the user to focus in on a potential stenosis, and to rotate around or zoom to (or away from) any user-defined point.

The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) swipe or drag on the surface of the touchscreen (e.g., at a location away from the pin 330). Based on this input, the tablet computer 70 may rotate the displayed model 100 or 200. The amount and direction of rotation may depend on the distance that the finger(s) travel in contacting the surface of the touchscreen during the swipe and the direction of the swipe along the surface of the touchscreen.

The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to determine when the users fingers pinch the surface of the touchscreen. If the user's fingers move closer together, the tablet computer 70 may zoom out from the displayed model 100 or 200. If the user's fingers move away from each other, the tablet computer 70 may zoom in on the displayed model 100 or 200. The amount of the zoom may depend on the distance that the finger(s) travel in the pinch along the surface of the touchscreen.

As the user manipulates the view of the displayed model 100 or 200 (e.g., by rotating, zooming in or away, changing the focal point, etc.), the tube angulation or other information for characterizing the direction from which the anatomical structure is being viewed may be displayed to the user and dynamically updated. For example, the information may be provided in the form of left anterior oblique (LAO), right anterior oblique (RAO), caudal (CAUD), and/or cranial (CRAN) angles, e.g., LAO 20° and CRAN 0°, as known in the art.

FIGS. 4-6 are images illustrating screen shots of the tablet computer 70 operating in the second operating mode (e.g., the PCI mode) selected by the user by touching the second button 320. Inputs received from the user using the tablet computer 70 in the second operating mode allow the user to plan treatment options using the displayed model 400, which may be created based on the model 12 (e.g., a model reflecting the geometry of the patient's anatomical structure without additional information indicating blood flow characteristic(s)), the computed FFR model 100 (FIG. 2), the computed pressure gradient model 200 (FIG. 3), or other model providing information 50 indicating a blood flow characteristic of the patient in the patient's current condition. The tablet computer 70 may display predicted information regarding the blood flow characteristic(s) FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), etc.) based on the selected the treatment option.

FIG. 4 shows a screen shot of the tablet computer 70 operating in the second operating mode to allow the user to select a treatment option using the model 400. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the model 400 is created based on the computed FFR model 100. Alternatively, the model 400 may be created based on the model 12, the computed pressure gradient model 200, and/or other model. The tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen (e.g., for a predetermined time (e.g., a touch and hold)) at a location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 400 (and a corresponding location in the patient's anatomical structure). Based on this input, the tablet computer 70 may display a stent 410 for planned insertion into the patient's anatomical structure (e.g., in a coronary artery). The tablet computer 70 may allow the user to place more than one stent 410 on the model 400, as shown in FIG. 5, and remove the stent(s) 410, as desired.

When initially placed on the model 400, the stent 410 may have a predetermined size or dimension, or other characteristics (e.g., diameter, length, material, wire thickness, wire configuration, etc.). The stent 410 may be initially placed so that the stent 410 is centered longitudinally with respect to the location selected by the user.

The user may then provide additional inputs to define and/or adjust the stent 410. For example, the tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) swipe or drag on the surface of the touchscreen. Based on this input, the tablet computer 70 may move the stent 410 along the model 400. For example, the stent 410 may move parallel to the centerline(s) of the coronary artery or arteries (or branches connected thereto). Also, the shape of the stent 410 may conform to bends and curves in the centerline(s), as shown in FIGS. 4-6, as the stent 410 is dragged or moved along the centerline(s). The amount and direction (e.g., upstream or downstream along the centerline(s)) of movement of the stent 410 may depend on the distance that the finger(s) travel in contacting the surface of the touchscreen during the swipe and the direction of the swipe along the surface of the touchscreen.

The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to determine when the user's fingers pinch the surface of the touchscreen. If the user's fingers move closer together, the tablet computer 70 may shorten the stent 410 (e.g., in the longitudinal direction and/or the direction of the centerline(s)). If the user's fingers move away from each other, the tablet computer 70 may lengthen the stent 410 (e.g., in the longitudinal direction and/or the direction of the centerline(s)). The amount of the change in length may depend on the distance that the finger(s) travel along the surface of the touchscreen to form the pinch. Also, the change in length may be continuous or may be provided in increments (e.g., approximately 4 millimeter increments or other increment). For example, if the stent 410 has a sequential ring configuration (e.g., a series of sequential rings that are joined together to form a tubular structure), then the change in length may be provided in increments that are generally equivalent to a length of one ring, and the touchscreen may show the ring(s) being added or removed from the stent 410 to shorten or lengthen the stent 410.

Other features may be provided that allow the user to adjust and manipulate the stent 410. FIG. 5 shows a screen shot of the tablet computer 70 operating in the second operating mode to allow the user to plan a treatment option associated with the placement of the stent 410 using the model 400, according to another embodiment.

When displaying the stent 410 for planned insertion into the patient's anatomical structure (e.g., in a coronary artery), the tablet computer 70 may create one or more handles, such as a first handle 420, a second handle 430, and/or a third handle 440. The first handle 420 may be located at or near the center of the stent 410 along the longitudinal direction. The user may drag or move the stent 410 along the model 400 by pressing the first handle 420 and dragging the first handle 420 to a desired location on the model 400. Movement of the first handle 420 results in movement of the stent 410. As the user drags the first handle 420 along the model 400, the stent 410 may also move parallel to the centerline(s) of the coronary artery or arteries (or branches connected thereto) until the user removes the finger(s) from the first handle 420. Also, the shape of the stent 410 may conform to bends and curves in the centerline(s) as the stent 410 is dragged or moved along the centerline(s) with the first handle 420.

The second and third handles 430, 440 may be located at or near the proximal and distal ends of the stent 410, respectively. The user may adjust the length of the stent 410 by pressing the second and/or the third handles 430, 440 and dragging the respective second and/or third handles 430, 440 along the model 400, thereby adjusting the locations of the respective proximal and distal ends of the stent 410. Movement of the second and/or third handles 430, 440 results in lengthening/shortening of the stent 410. For example, when the user drags the second handle 430 along the model 400 in a proximal direction away from the third handle 440, the stent 410 may lengthen and extend along the proximal direction. Similarly, when the user drags the third handle 440 along the model 400 in a distal direction away from the second handle 430, the stent 410 may lengthen and extend along the distal direction. The new portion of the stent 410 that is added due to the lengthening may be formed parallel to the centerline(s) of the coronary artery or arteries (or branches connected thereto) and may conform to bends and curves in the centerline(s). Alternatively, the stent 410 may shorten when the user drags the second handle 430 along the model 400 in a distal direction toward the third handle 440 or when the user drags the third handle 440 along the model 400 in a proximal direction toward the second handle 430. As the length of the stent 410 is altered, the placement of the first handle 420 may be automatically adjusted so that the first handle 420 stays at or near the center of the stent 410. As a result, the handles 420, 430, 440 are user-friendly and allow the user to manipulate and adjust the stent 410 as desired.

Various characteristics of the stent 410 may be displayed on the touchscreen. For example, the numerical values of the length, the proximal diameter, and/or the distal diameter of the stent 410 may be displayed on the touchscreen, e.g., in a stent legend. The numerical values may be dynamically updated as the user adjusts the stent 410.

Other characteristics of the stent 410, e.g., the material, wire thickness, wire configuration, etc., may be selected by the user. For example, the tablet computer 70 may provide a selection of stent models that are available for placement into the patient and may store the characteristics of those stent models. The user may select from the stent models, and the tablet computer 70 may retrieve the stored characteristics corresponding to the stent model selected by the user to determine the various characteristics of the stent 410, such as the dimensions of the stent 410. In addition, other characteristics of the stent 410 may be determined based on the stent model selected, such as the dimensions of the incremental changes in length (e.g., the size of the rings in a ring configuration) described above and/or the flexibility of the stent 410 (e.g., the ability to conform to the bends and curves in the centerlines of the coronary arteries and branches).

Alternatively, the various characteristics of the stent 410 and/or the stent model may be determined automatically and recommended by the tablet computer 70 based on various factors, such as the location of any FFR values that are less than 0.75 and the dimensions of the vessels at those locations, locations and dimensions of significant narrowing of the vessels, etc.

The tablet computer 70 may also provide other treatment options for selection by the user, such as other types of surgery on the modeled anatomy that may result in a change in the geometry of the modeled anatomy. For example, the tablet computer 70 may be used to plan a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. Coronary artery bypass grafting may involve creating new lumens or passageways in the model 400. After selecting this type of treatment option, the tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen (e.g., for a predetermined time (e.g., a touch and hold)) at a location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 400. Based on this first input, the tablet computer 70 may display a bypass segment (not shown) for planned connection to the patient's anatomical structure (e.g., in a coronary artery), which has one end that is connected to the model 400 at the location indicated by the first input. The tablet computer 70 may then prompt the user to provide a second input identifying a second location for connecting the opposite end of the bypass segment to the patient's anatomical structure. Alternatively, the tablet computer 70 may recommend where to connect the bypass segment at one or both ends of the bypass segment. The tablet computer 70 may allow the user to place more than one bypass segment in the model, and remove the bypass segment(s), as desired. The tablet computer 70 may also allow the user to provide inputs (e.g., similar to the inputs described above, such as swiping and pinching) to change the location or dimension (e.g., diameter, length, etc.) of the bypass segment.

Once the treatment option(s) have been selected by the user, the user may touch a calculate button 340, as shown in FIG. 4. When the user selects the calculate button 340, the tablet computer 70 recalculates the blood flow characteristic(s).

For example, referring back to FIG. 1, after the computer system 40 solves the equations 30 as described above, the computer system 40 may create and transmit to the tablet computer 70 a reduced-order (e.g., zero-dimensional or one-dimensional) model 60 for modeling various treatment options. In addition to (or instead of) the information 50 indicating the blood flow characteristics in the patient's current condition, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0041739 entitled “Method And System For Patient-Specific Modeling Of Blood Flow.” For example, the reduced-order model 60 may be a lumped parameter model or other simplified model of the patient's anatomy that may be used to determine information about the coronary blood flow in the patient without having to solve the more complex system of equations 30 described above. The reduced-order model 60 may be created using information extracted from the computed models 100 and 200 (e.g., the blood pressure, flow, or velocity information determined by solving the equations 30 described above).

After the user touches the calculate button 340, the tablet computer 70 may adjust the reduced-order model 60 based on the treatment option selected by the user, and may solve a simplified set of equations based on the reduced-order model 60 to output information indicating one or more predicted blood flow characteristics (e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), etc.) of the patient. The information may then be mapped or extrapolated to the three-dimensional model 12 of the patient's anatomical structure to display the effects of the selected treatment option on the coronary blood flow in the patient's anatomy, e.g., in a post-intervention model 500, as shown in FIG. 6.

Since the reduced-order model 60 may be solved with a simplified set of equations (compared to the equations 30), the reduced-order model 60 permits relatively rapid computation (e.g. compared to a full three-dimensional model) using the tablet computer 70 and may be used to solve for flow rate and pressure that may closely approximate the results of a full three-dimensional computational solution. Thus, the reduced-order model 60 allows for relatively rapid iterations to model various different treatment options.

Alternatively, instead of creating the reduced-order model 60 and transmitting the reduced-order model 60 to the tablet computer 70, the inputs provided by the user to select the treatment option may be transmitted to the computer system 40 via the tablet computer 70 (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection). After the user touches the calculate button 340, the computer system 40 may recalculate the information indicating the blood flow characteristic(s), e.g., by re-solving the equations 30 using the inputs provided by the user to select the treatment option. The computer system 40 may then transmit to the tablet computer 70 the information indicating the blood flow characteristic(s) based on this solution to the equations 30, and may also output to the tablet computer 70 images generated based on the model 12 and the determined information, such as the post-intervention model 500 shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 shows a screen shot of the tablet computer 70 operating in the second operating mode after determining the information indicating the blood flow characteristic(s) of the patient based on the selected treatment option, according to an embodiment. Specifically, the screen shot shows a split screen provided by touchscreen, and the split screen may divide the screen into two or more portions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, two portions may be provided. The first portion of the split screen (the left side portion shown in FIG. 6) may show the pre-intervention model 400 (FIG. 4) with the treatment option selected by the user (placement of the stent 410, as described above in connection with FIG. 4).

The second portion of the split screen (the right side portion shown in FIG. 6) may show the past-intervention model 500 that reflects the information indicating the blood flow characteristic(s) of the patient based on selected treatment option. The post-intervention model 500 may show any change in geometry of the anatomical structure due to the selected treatment option. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the post-intervention model 500 shows a widening 510 of the lumen where the simulated stent 410 is placed. The post-intervention model 500 may also display the start and end points of the stent 410.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the pre-intervention and post-intervention models 400, 500 indicate computed FFR. The split screen allows the user to view and compare information relating to the untreated patient (e.g., without the stent(s)), such as the model 400, side-by-side with information relating to the simulated treatment for the patient, such as the model 500. For example, the same color, shade, pattern, or other visual indicators as the model 400 may be assigned to the respective FFR values for the model 500. Thus, the model 500 may also visually indicate the variations in FFR throughout the model 500 without having to specify the individual values for each point in the model 500. The model 500 shown in FIG. 6 shows that, for this particular patient, under the treatment plan selected by the user, FFR is generally uniform and approximately 1.0 in the aorta (e.g., as indicated by the color blue), and that FFR gradually and continuously decreases (e.g., to values ranging from 1.0 down to approximately 0.9, as indicated by gradually changing colors from blue to cyan or a mix of blue and cyan) in the main coronary arteries and the branches. In this embodiment, the post-interventional model 500 does not include the areas 112 and 114 of sharper decreases in FFR that are shown in the pre-interventional model 400. Thus, the split screen provides a comparison of the pre-interventional model 400 of the untreated patient (showing the patent's current condition) and the post-interventional model 500 for the proposed treatment to help the physician or other user to assess the results of various treatment options.

Either portion of the split screen may be configured to receive inputs from the user and may respond to the inputs as described above in connection with the first operating mode. For example, the user may touch any location on the model(s) 400 and/or 500 to determine the numerical value of any of the blood flow characteristic(s) and/or geometry information at that location, e.g., by creating one or more pins 330 for moving around the model(s) 400 and/or 500. In an embodiment, when the user touches a location (or creates the pin 330) on one of the models 400 or 500 to determine the numerical value of the blood flow characteristic(s) and/or geometry information at the indicated location, the numerical value of the blood flow characteristic(s) and/or geometry information at the same location in the other model 400 or 500 may also be displayed for comparison. For example, another pin 330 may be automatically created at the same location in the other model 400 or 500. As a result, the split screen may provide mirrored pins 330 in the two displayed models such that movement of one pin 330 in one of the models due to user input is automatically mirrored by the pin 330 in the other model and the numerical values of the blood flow characteristic(s) and/or geometry information at the respective locations may be compared and updated dynamically as the pins 330 move.

Also, the user may adjust the rotation, zoom, and/or focal point for the model(s) 400 and/or 500. In an embodiment, when the user adjusts the rotation, zoo and/or focal point for one of the models 400 or 500, the rotation, zoom, and/or focal point for the other model 400 or 500 is adjusted similarly.

The first portion of the split screen (showing the pre-intervention model 400) may be configured to receive inputs from the user and may respond to the inputs as described above in connection with the second operating mode. For example, the user may select or adjust the treatment option using the pre-intervention model 400. After making the desired changes, the user may touch the calculate button 340, which may cause the tablet computer 70 to modify the reduced-order model 60 based on the new treatment option selected by the user. After solving the equations associated with the modified reduced-order model 60, the tablet computer 70 may output a modified post-intervention model 500 that reflects the new treatment option selected by the user Alternatively, the tablet computer 70 may transmit the new treatment option to the computer system 40, which will re-solve the equations 30 based on the new selected treatment option and send the modified post-intervention model 500 to the tablet computer 70 for displaying to the user.

Alternatively, the split screen may provide two portions for comparing the results of different treatment options. In such an embodiment, each portion of the split screen may be configured to receive inputs associated with selecting treatment options using the pre-intervention model 400 as described above and may be able to display different post-intervention models 500 based on the different treatment options selected.

Accordingly, the split screen allows the user to repeatedly select new treatment options and use the tablet computer 70 to predict and compare the effects of various treatment options to each other and/or to information relating to the untreated patient. The reduced-order model 60 may allow the user to analyze and compare different treatment options more easily and quickly without having to solve the equations 30 each time a different treatment option is selected.

The system may be used to predict a potential benefit of percutaneous coronary interventions on coronary artery blood flow in order to select the optimal interventional strategy, and/or to predict a potential benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting on coronary artery blood flow in order to select the optimal surgical strategy.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may be incorporated into a portable software tool accessed by physicians and other users to provide patient specific blood flow information and to plan treatment options. In addition, physicians and other users may use the portable software tool to predict the effect of medical, interventional, and/or surgical treatments on coronary artery blood flow. The portable software tool may be used to prevent, diagnose, manage, and/or treat disease in other portions of the cardiovascular system including arteries of the neck (e.g., carotid arteries), arteries in the head (e.g., cerebral arteries), arteries in the thorax, arteries in the abdomen (e.g., the abdominal aorta and its branches), arteries in the arms, or arteries in the legs (e.g., the femoral and popliteal arteries). The portable software tool may be interactive to enable physicians and other users to develop optimal personalized therapies for patients.

The computer system 40 for solving the equations 30 governing blood flow may be provided as part of a web-based service or other service, e.g., a service provided by an entity that is separate from the physician. The service provider may, for example, operate the web-based service and may provide a web portal or other web-based application (e.g., run on a server or other computer system operated by the service provider) that is accessible to physicians or other users via a network or other methods of communicating data between computer systems. For example, the patient-specific anatomical data 10 obtained noninvasively from the patient may be provided to the service provider, and the service provider may use the data to produce the three-dimensional model 12 or other models/meshes and/or any simulations or other results determined by solving the equations 30 described above in connection with FIG. 1, such as the reduced-order model 60, the computed FFR model 100, and/or the computed blood pressure gradient model 200. Then, the web-based service may transmit the models 60, 100, and/or 200 to the physician's tablet computer 70 (or other portable device). The physician may use the tablet computer 70 to interact with the models 100 or 200, and to provide inputs, e.g., to select possible treatment options and determine blood flow information based on the selected possible treatment options.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed systems and processes without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing patient-specific blood flow information using at least one computer system, the at least one computer system including a touchscreen, the method comprising: displaying, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model generated based on patient-specific data, the three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient; receiving a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by a user, the first location on the touchscreen indicating a first location in the displayed three-dimensional model; displaying, on the touchscreen, at least one blood flow characteristic value at the first location in the three-dimensional model indicated by the first input; and determining and dynamically updating a display of the at least one blood flow characteristic value as a user drags a finger or a pointing object across the touchscreen.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display of the at least one blood flow characteristic value is generated based on a location of the finger or the pointing object relative to the displayed three-dimensional model of the anatomical structure of the patient.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a pin at the first location, the pin being movable by the user within the three-dimensional model; and updating, on the touchscreen, the at least one blood flow characteristic value in the anatomical structure as the pin is moved by the user.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: updating the at least one blood flow characteristic value in the anatomical structure at a plurality of locations in the three-dimensional model and indicating the at least one blood flow characteristic value on the displayed three-dimensional model using at least one of shading, patterns, or coloring.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: rotating the displayed three-dimensional model in response to the user swiping a surface of the touchscreen, an amount and a direction of rotation depending on a characteristic of the swipe.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adjusting a zoom on the displayed three-dimensional model in response to the user pinching two of a plurality of pointing objects located at separate locations with respect to the touchscreen, an amount of the zoom depending on a characteristic of the pinch.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: switching between operating in a first mode for receiving the first input and at least one subsequent input requesting the at least one blood flow characteristic value, and operating in a second mode for receiving a request for modeling a coronary intervention based upon an intervention input received on the touchscreen.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, while operating in a treatment modeling mode, an intervention input relating to an intervention location on the touchscreen, the intervention input indicating a modification of the three-dimensional model and causing the computer system to generate a display of a coronary intervention at a location of the three-dimensional model corresponding to the intervention location on the touchscreen.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the intervention input includes a selection of a stent or a bypass, and a change in a location or a size of the selected stent or bypass.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the display of the coronary intervention indicates at least one selected stent characteristic chosen from stent length, proximal diameter, and distal diameter.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing a split screen including a first portion and a second portion, the two portions being configured to receive different intervention inputs indicating different modifications of the respective displayed three-dimensional models.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the first input and at least one subsequent input from at least one pointing object controlled by the user, where the at least one pointing object includes at least one digit of the user or a stylus.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one blood flow characteristic value is chosen from at least one of a pressure gradient value, a fractional flow reserve value, a pressure value, a flow rate value, and a velocity value.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical structure of the patient includes at least a portion of an aorta and at least a portion of a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the portion of the aorta.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one blood flow characteristic value includes a fractional flow reserve value indicating a ratio between a pressure at a location in the plurality of coronary arteries and a pressure at a location upstream from the location in the plurality of coronary arteries.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the display of the at least one blood flow characteristic value further comprises at least one of a computed fractional flow reserve model and a computed pressure gradient model.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the display of the at least one blood flow characteristic value further comprises geometry information chosen from at least one of vessel inner diameter and thickness.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical structure of the patient includes at least one of a portion of a plurality of arteries in the patient's heart, neck, head, thorax, abdomen, arms, or legs.
 19. A system for providing patient-specific blood flow information for a patient, the system comprising at least: a display device including a touchscreen and being configured to: (i) display a three-dimensional model generated based on patient-specific data, the three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient; and (ii) display at least one blood flow characteristic value at a location in the three-dimensional model indicated by a user input; a processor configured to: (i) receive a user input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by a user, the first location on the touchscreen indicating a first location in the displayed three-dimensional model; and (ii) determine and dynamically update a display, on the touchscreen, of the at least one blood flow characteristic value as a user drags a finger or a pointing object across the touchscreen.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium for use on at least one touchscreen computer system containing computer-executable programming instructions for providing patient-specific blood flow information, the instructions being executable by the at least one touchscreen computer system for: displaying, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model generated based on patient-specific data, the three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient; receiving a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by a user, the first location on the touchscreen indicating a first location in the displayed three-dimensional model; displaying, on the touchscreen, at least one blood flow characteristic value at the first location in the three-dimensional model indicated by the first input; and determining and dynamically updating a display of the at least one blood flow characteristic value as a user drags a finger or a pointing object across the touchscreen. 